Cook County News Briefs

The Matteson Police Department announced that K9 Xanto has been formally retired from duty after five years of service. (Village of Matteson Twitter)

Mount Prospect

Public Works Dept. to hold Open House event

The village announced that it will host a Public Works Open House from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 20 at the Mount Prospect Public Works Department, 1700 W. Central Road. The event features a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility, and includes a children’s Fun Fact Hunt, rides in the department’s dump trucks and street sweepers, and a wide range of displays demonstrating how the village’s water system, sewer system, parkway trees, buildings, streets and vehicles are maintained. In addition, PW Paws, the Public Works Department mascot, will be on hand to meet kids. Free hot dogs and refreshments will be provided by the Mount Prospect Lions Club. For more information, call 847-870-5840 or visit www.mountprospect.org.

Palatine

Jaycees to host Casino Night fundraising event

The village announced that the Palatine Jaycees will host Casino Night, a fundraising event designed to help individuals and civic groups throughout the Palatine area, from 6 p.m. to midnight May 19 at the American Legion Post 690 Hall, 122 W. Palatine Road. The event includes cash games of Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em, Blackjack, Over & Under Dice Roll and Money Wheel. A full-service bar will be open upstairs during Casino Night activities, and another full-service bar will be available downstairs in the American Legion Hall Club Room. Admission is $5. For more information, call 847-421-8330 or visit www.palatine.il.us.

Oak Park

OPRF’s Carlson named P.E. Teacher of the Year

Oak Park and River Forest High School’s Linda Carlson recently was named the 2017 National High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators). Carlson, a teacher at OPRF for 23 years, led the development of the school’s R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) course, now a required 45-day physical education unit for all freshman girls. Based on a nationally recognized rape and aggression prevention program, R.A.D. teaches girls cognitive, emotional and physical strategies to navigate potentially dangerous situations. The successful implementation of R.A.D. catalyzed the development of a similar class required for freshman boys. OPRF is the only high school in Illinois that requires students to take a self-defense unit. For more information, call 708-383-0700 or visit www.oprfhs.org.

Schaumburg

Cop on a Rooftop event to benefit Special Olympics

Members of the Schaumburg Police Department will participate in the annual Cop on a Rooftop event from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19 at three Dunkin’ Donuts locations in the village: 2263 W. Schaumburg Road, 477 W. Golf Road and 1440 N. Meacham Road. The event is held annually to raise funds for Special Olympics Illinois. In addition, members of the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association of Schaumburg (CPAAAS) will be on hand selling hats, T-shirts and travel coffee mugs. Patrons who donate will receive coupons for free coffee and donuts. In 2016, 234 locations participated in Cop on a Rooftop events statewide and raised more than $670,000. For more information, call 847-895-4500 or visit www.ci.schaumburg.il.us.

South Holland

Library nets grant to replace outdated elevator

The South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau Ave., has received a Live & Learn Construction Grant in the amount of $125,000 to replace its existing elevator with one that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) minimum size requirements. The grant was awarded by Illinois Secretary of State/State Librarian Jesse White. Total cost of the project is $306,000. The elevator project will consist of removing the existing elevator, enlarging the shaft and installing a larger elevator that meets current ADA standards. Upon completion, library patrons with larger, motorized wheelchairs and strollers will have easier access to the lower-level Youth Services Department, Teen Area and North Meeting Room. Construction is expected to begin in mid-August and conclude in January 2018. For more information, contact Library Director Robin Wagner at 708-527-3104 or via email at robin@southhollandlibrary.org — or visit www.shlibrary.org.

Evanston

Ecology Center installs apiary to aid honey bee population

In an effort to support the declining honey bee population, the Evanston Ecology Center has installed a new apiary that is home to an estimated 40,000 honey bees in Eggleston Park. Four hives, each containing approximately 10,000 bees, recently were installed adjacent to the Ecology Center Farmette and the Edible Evanston Orchard, located just west of McCormick Boulevard and south of Bridge Street. Each hive was painted a different color so that bees can recognize their own hive. The apiary will allow Ecology Center staff to provide educational programming about the biology, anatomy and behavior of honey bees, as well as educate community members about threats to the honey bee population and what they can do to help. Honey bees provide critical pollination for many native plants and crops, but the population has declined in recent years due to pesticides, disease and other factors. For more information, call or text 847-448-4311 or visit www.cityofevanston.org.

Matteson

Police Dept. retires K9 Xanto after five years of service

The Matteson Police Department announced that K9 Xanto has been formally retired from duty after five years of service. Xanto, a sable German Shepherd, has been instrumental in tracking and capturing numerous violent offenders in Matteson, as well as in neighboring communities. The police dog also has been instrumental in the detection of thousands of pounds of illicit drugs for several state and federal agencies, as well as the seizure of thousands of dollars in illegal drug money. Xanto joined the Matteson Police Department in April 2012, and served under the direction of Officer Jim Strappazon after completing a six-week training course conducted by the American Police K9 Association.